Senior Dog Care
Senior dog care is often an overlooked specialization in veterinary medicine. But as we’ve learned more about our furry companions and taken better care of them, they’ve lived longer lives—the average pet now lives 3.6 years longer than it did in the 1950s! As your dog gets older, he or she could develop health complications requiring treatment. Taking care of your pet during its senior years is a responsible choice to ensure the best quality of life.
Schedule a visit with our veterinarians at Germantown Vet to ensure your dog is happy and healthy—click the button to the right to set up an appointment or give us a call at 240-252-7467240-252-7467.
Save on Your Senior Dog Care
We offer wellness plans for every age and stage of your dog’s life, including a senior dog health plan. The Complete Health Senior Dog Plan includes the following annual services:
- Two comprehensive physical examinations
- Four office calls/examinations
- Vaccinations
- Lab work (including fecal exams and heartworm tests)
- Parasite control
- 10% discounts on flea control and heartworm prevention medication
- And more!
Senior Dog Care at Germantown Vet
At Germantown Vet, we treat our aging patients with more care than ever. We recommend you visit us at least twice a year for wellness exams. Our sophisticated in-house laboratory can quickly and accurately analyze blood, urine, and fecal samples for early detection of any problems.
During your visits, we can also go over other factors in your dog’s life, including but not limited to:
- Diet – Your dog’s dietary needs will change as he or she gets older. Bring your furry family member to Germantown Vet for counseling and advice about an appropriate eating regimen.
- Exercise – As your dog ages, his or her mobility could suffer. Learn how much daily exercise your pup needs and how you keep him or her active!
- Lifestyle – You might notice more fatigue, anxiety, or other behaviors as your dog approaches his or her senior years. The experts at Germantown Vet can help you make the appropriate lifestyle modifications for the ultimate senior dog care.
Signs of Senior Aging in Dogs
As your dog gets older, you’ll notice clear physical and behavioral signs of aging, and indicators that he or she could benefit from senior pet care:
- Slower pace – You’ll notice this as your dog gets older. Your dog might not run as fast as he or she used to. It could also take more time for your pup to sit or lay down. Bring him or her in to Germantown Vet to learn more about mobility problems and how you can best manage them.
- Graying hair – Your dog might have more gray hair around its mouth, muzzle, or major joints. This is usually just an aesthetic concern—bring your four-legged friend in if you’re concerned about major or sudden changes in your pet’s skin or fur.
- Reduced hearing – Does your dog respond less frequently to your calls? It could be his or her hearing. Hearing diminishes as your dog ages. Schedule an appointment with us to learn more about senior dog care for your pet’s ears.
- Cloudy or “bluish” eyes – Your dog could develop a bluish “haze” in the pupil. Regular wellness visits with our certified veterinarians can help manage vision problems as your dog gets older.
- Muscle atrophy – It’s not uncommon to notice muscle atrophy in your dog’s hind legs as he or she ages. An appointment with us can determine if it’s evidence of painful arthritis or an indication of other systematic diseases and help us find the best treatments.
Keep your aging dog happy and healthy by making an appointment with us. We can go over any concerns you have with your pet’s health and its wellbeing. Don’t wait until a symptom of old age becomes a major complication—regular visits with us can ensure your pet leads a healthy life!
Contact us online or by phone at 240-252-7467240-252-7467 to schedule your appointment.
